Records I Like Mix June 2020

If I said to myself in 1988 I would be compiling a “mixtape” in 2020 featuring The Flatmates, The Wolfhounds, Wendy Pickles from The Popguns and ex Popgun/Weddoes drummer Shaun Charman I would have said I was a bit bonkers. Well, 32 years later it seems I am bonkers after all as they all feature on this months mix which features tracks covering indie-pop, jangle-pop, shoegaze and alt-rock. It’s nice to see kosmische (“Krautrock”) creeping into indie and dream pop too. Enjoy! Full Tracklisting and details: The Flatmates – If You Love Me Let Me Know Taken from the new … Continue reading Records I Like Mix June 2020

Las Margaritas – Invierno

I don’t know much about Las Margaritas apart from this seemingly one-woman project hails from Santiago, Chile. However, what I do know is that Las Margaritas purveys some fine tuneage as demonstrated on the debut EP Invierno (Winter). The EP contains some delightful guitar-based indie/twee pop in the vein of Talulah Gosh or Po! When translated, the lyrics deal with subjects of anxiety, reluctance, goodbyes, memories and happy times. Whatever the subject the songs are very catchy and the likes of Las Flores, Joe and Alguien Como Tú should be on your must listen to pile. Invierno is available on … Continue reading Las Margaritas – Invierno

The Suncharms​/​Mirrorlakes – A Split Tape

Indonesian label Shiny Happy Records have just released a split tape which features three tracks each from The Suncharms and Mirrorlakes. Since I have never mentioned Sheffield based indie band The Suncharms before I best set the scene! The band was originally active between 1989-1993 but eventually reformed after releasing a compilation on Cloudberry Records in 2016. They played their first gig in almost 24 years in 2017 and a single on Slumberland was released the following year. The band have also appeared on a couple of compilations including last Novembers F​.​A​.​R. OUT on Fadeawayradiate Records. Last Halloween they also … Continue reading The Suncharms​/​Mirrorlakes – A Split Tape

The Wolfhounds – Can’t See The Light (Radio Edit)

The timeless sounding C86 veterans The Wolfhounds have announced details of a new album and their first since 2016’s excellent Untied Kingdom or (How to Come to Terms With Your Culture). Titled Electric Music it will be released via A Turntable Friend Records on July 3rd 2020. The band have also released a precursor to the album in the shape of Can’t See The Light. It’s a radio edit of the lead track and it’s The Wolfhounds sounding like they are at the top of their game once more. Currently Electric Music can only be pre-ordered in digital formats. Physical … Continue reading The Wolfhounds – Can’t See The Light (Radio Edit)

Apple Orchard – A Slow Dissolve

Is waking up to a new single from Apple Orchard on a nice sunny morning one of life’s pleasures? A Slow Dissolve suggests so! It contains enough fuzz and noise to keep me happy as the band draw from their indiepop and shoegaze influences. It’s like the Mary Chain being mixed with The Primitives with some Ride thrown in but rather than sounding totally retro it actually sounds pretty fresh to these ears. Happy daze. The band recently recorded a live social distance session for Our Secret World which was organised by Indonesian label Shiny Happy Records. That session has … Continue reading Apple Orchard – A Slow Dissolve

Various Artists – Shelter 2 (Sunday Records)

Sunday Records have released a second volume of songs as “a (another!) special treat for our fans during the coronavirus isolation”. Once again the compilation features tracks collated from acts on the labels roster. The Proctors open with Only Stupid, a track that started life in the early 1990’s before Japanese Heart Software give us For Another Day which originally appeared on last years Lonely Hearts EP. That release did not grab me then but after hearing this again I may need a revisit. Compilations eh? Kosmonaut deliver an acoustic version of Silver Star before LIPS treat us once more … Continue reading Various Artists – Shelter 2 (Sunday Records)

Records I Like Mix May 2020

The latest mix featuring tracks released in the past month or so. Enjoy! Tracklisting: Die Zärtlichkeit – Chaos That track, titled Chaos, opens the EP and it’s a vintage sounding indie/jangle pop song which gets things off to a fine start. No Suits in Miami – What We Have Strong female vocals soar above the guitars which, depending on your viewpoint, are either influenced by 1981 Glasgow or 1988 Bristol. Dreams of Empire – Broken Keys I am not sure if I have ever heard a song that references both the Sparks and Plastic Bertrand before but Broken Dreams does … Continue reading Records I Like Mix May 2020

The Saturday Session

Vamping – Holyoke To say that the new song from Amarillo’s Vamping is a shimmering delight is a vast understatement. Holyoke literally glows thanks to the harmonious synths and guitars coupled with a very catchy chorus and vocals. Lock-down positivity in a nutshell. Facebook Phosphene – Incandescent Plumes Incandescent Plumes is the third single to be taken forthcoming album Lotus Eaters. Rachel Frankel’s vocals are as lovely as ever despite the gloomy and dark words which seem to be a feature of their songs. Musically it’s less dream pop and more alt/indie rock than their previous efforts but I am … Continue reading The Saturday Session